The Minneapolis City Council is advancing a dress code ordinance for businesses citywide after a committee gave its approval. The ordinance passed unanimously in the Business, Housing & Zoning Committee and aims to prevent discrimination against individuals based on their attire.
This proposed regulation would mandate that any business with a liquor or beer license display its dress code at the entrance. This does not apply to general ‘no shirts, no shoes, no service’ policies, which fall under state health and safety regulations. The full City Council will discuss the ordinance on August 27, and if passed, it would take effect on January 1, 2027.
Council members have expressed concerns that unclear dress codes allow for ‘velvet rope discrimination,’ where entry is denied based on factors like race, gender, or orientation. Councilmember Jason Chavez cited an incident in Minneapolis where a Black man was denied entry while wearing a similar outfit to a White man who was admitted.
Chavez, who identifies as LGBTQ, shared a personal experience of being denied entry with a rainbow accessory, while others with different accessories were permitted. He emphasized the need for transparency in dress codes to prevent discrimination, acknowledging the ongoing existence of racism.
Other council members, including Pearll Warren and Jamal Osman, support the ordinance as a means to eliminate discrimination based on appearance. Osman stated that choosing who enters based on looks or cultural attire is outdated, while Warren insisted on the necessity of posting specific dress code restrictions outside establishments.
Council Member Michael Rainville believes the ordinance will pass, given the unanimous committee support. He hopes posting dress codes will address community concerns. Rainville trusts his colleagues’ judgment on the persistence of racism in local bars and restaurants, despite not having firsthand experience.
Attempts to obtain comments from the Business, Housing & Zoning Committee and additional City Council members were not immediately successful, according to Fox News Digital. The story was reported by associate editor Lindsay Kornick, who can be contacted through email and Twitter.